Starting switch



Aug. 26, 1930. E. CHAPMAN ET AL STARTING SWITCH Filed Oct. 5, 1927 IS Sheets-Sheet 2 'Au .z6, 1930. I g APMANETAL 1,774,130

STARTING *swmcn I mm 015%.. 5, 1927 s Sheetsw-Sheet a KEACT'ANCE. "-3 J I N VEN TOR.)

l lffi' (7742777011 14 Patented Aug. 26, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I EVERETT CHAPMAN, F CLEVELAND, AND ERWIN E. DREESE, OF EUCLID VILLAGE,

OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE LINCOLN ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A. v

CORPORATION OF OHIO STARTING swx'rcn Application filed October 5, 1927.

The present improvements having to do, as indicated, with starting switches for motors, have more particular regard to the construction and arrangement of the contact members whereb said members incidentally to the operation of the switch may automatically make proper connection for starting and full load operation. A further object is to provide a simple and compact structure with a minimum number of parts, all of which are readily accessible so as to facilitate assembly. inspection and replacement. The detailed construction of the contact members, particularly of the movable contact members, constitutes a further improvement.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends. the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings Fig. l is a side elevation of a switch embodying our present improvements; Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof, as viewed from the left in Fig. 1 Fig. 3 is a side elevation opposite to that of Fig 1; Fig. 4 is a section and side elevation. the plane of the section being indicated by the line 44, Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a similar section taken on the plane indicated by the line 55, Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram; Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of one of the movable contact-carrying members showing a modification in construction: and Fig. 8 is a similar representation of still another modification.

As shown in the aforesaid drawings, the switch is designed for use in a three-phase system. but it will be understood that the various features of improvement comprised in the invention are not necessarily limited to use with any such particular system, but by employing a lesser or greater number of contacts, the switch may be readily adapted to use in any connection desired.

Serial No. 224,155.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the various parts of the switch mechanism are shown as supported on an open rectangular base 1 and rectangular frame members 2 attached to such base at each side thereof and projecting a suitable distance in front of such base. In the lower portion of the frame thus provided is supported a set of reactance coils in a suitable core 3. However, the arrangement and construction of such coils formsno part of the present invention and accordingly need not be described in detail. It is likewise considered unnecessary to describe the manner in which the frame is attached to such exterior support as may be available.

Mounted on the forwardly directed face of the base 1 areplural pairs of fixed contacts 5 and 6, three such pairs being provided in the illustrated device, one for each line in the three-phase system. These contacts are attached to suitable insulating blocks 7 and S and are aligned transversely of the panel with the uppermost set of contacts located forwardly of the lowermost set, as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. Two of the main line conductors 10 will be connected through a corresponding relay (not shown) mounted in a housing 11 at the rear of frame members 2 and thence by a conductor 12 with the corresponding uppermost fixed contact 6. An-

other conductor 13 serves directly to connect,

each lead 10 with the corresponding reaetance coil in housing 3, it being noted that such reactance coil is preferably adjustable and of polyphase induction type. another conductor 13' connects each such reactance with the lowermost fixed contact 5.

Co-operative with each pair of fixed contacts 5 and 6 is a movable contact-carrying member 15 that is adapted when in fully closed position to bridge said fixed contacts. The construction and manner of mountin of such movable contact members can be est understood by reference to Figs. 1, 4 and 5, from which it will be seen that each is carried by a channeled arm, the two outside arms 16 being identical and the middle arm 17 differing therefrom only in that its upper end is longer. Such channeled arms are non-rotatably secured to a shaft 18 by means Stillof clamps 19, such shaft 18 being pivotally supported at its respective ends in spaced arms 20, non-rotatably fixed to and projecting radially from a shaft 21. Said last mentioned shaft is in turn pivotally supported at its respective ends in bracket arms 22 that project forwardly irom the panel back 1.

The arms 20 with shaft 21, it will thus be seen, constitute an oscillatory carrier for the contact members 15 which are in their turn oscillatorily mounted on said carrier at a point removed from the axis of oscillation of the latter. The contact members 15 are not rigidly secured to the respective channeled arms 16, but are located between the side walls of such arms with their ends projecting through suitable apertures in. e bottom walls thereof, such ends respectively lying on opposite sides of the axis of oscillation of the arm. Pins 22 projects forw lly from each arm adjacent the respective ends thereor and slidably receive the corresoonding contact member which is provided with apertures loosely fittin such pins. Surrounding the latter and suitably held place thereon are compression springs 23 that independently resiliently secure such contact member adjacent its ends to said arm. A flexible conductor 2% serves to connect each contact member with a binding post 25 from which extends a corresponding lead to the motor or other translating device which is controlled b the switch.

Connecte with the prolonged upper end of the middle arm 17, by means of a link 26, is the plun er armature 27 of a solenoid coil 28, which later, as shown by the wiring diagram, is designed to be connected in series with the particular reactance coil that is connected across the fixed contacts 5 and 6 that correspond with the movable contact member 15 carried by said arm 17.

Oscillation of the carrier consisting of shaft 21 and arms 20, whereon the movable contacts are oscillatorily mounted, as hereinbefore described. may be eiiected in any de-, sired manner, but, as shown in Fig. 6. a solenoid 30 is provided for this purpose. the armature 31 of said solenoid being operatively connected with the shaft 21 so that when a suitable current passed through the coil of the so :noid, said shaft will be rotated in a ClOC'i .ise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, where the contact members are shown in fully closed p ition. The switch for operating said solenoid 30 will prefer be of the push button type and is shown liagran'nnatically only in Fig. 6. In addi holding contacts 33 are provided. which ay 1 actuated by the armature 31 to close the circuit through solenoid 3O incidentally to initiate movement of said armature, thus insuring energization of the solenoid even though the st rt" button be immediately re leased. The full open position of the contact members is indicated in dotted outline in Fig. 4; the partially closed position thereof is similarly shown in Fig. 5, while in both figures the full closed position shown in full lines; from which it will be noted that the amount of angular movement that requires to be imparted to shaft 21 is relatively small.

Due to the arrangement and construction of the contact-carrying members 15 and their mounting consisting of arms 16 and appurtenant parts mounted as aforesaid on shaft 18, the center of gravity of the arms 15. taken together, will lie above the axis about which said arms swing on the oscillatory carrier. As a result,'the initial effect of such clockwise rotation of the oscillatory carrier from the open position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 5 to the fully closed position shown in full lines in this and com anion figures will be to cause the lower end 0 each contact member to close with the corresponding lowermost fixed contacts 5 in advance of the Closing of the upper end of said contact members with the corresponding uppermost fixed contacts 6. Such intermediate partially closed position is the one shown in dotted outline in Fig. 5, and such operation is due wholly to the relative weight of the parts in question and is not only entirely automatic, but positive in chan acter. The result obviously will be to initially close the circuit between the line and motor through the adjustable reactance coils in housing 8, following which the circuit is closed through the relays in housing 11. Whenthis occurs, i. e., when the upper ends or" contact members 15 have closed with the uppermost fixed contacts 6, which it will be seen constitute the running contacts, the lower ends of such contact members may drop away from the corresponding lowermost fixed contacts 5, which it will be seen. constitute the starting contacts, without affecting the running contacts, and the motor or other translating device is left in operation subject to any suitable overload control.

The starting current normally will be greater than the running current. and the se ries holding coil 28, which is energized immediateiy upon the closing of the lowermost contacts when contact-carrying member assumes the position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 4, will thereupon keep the uppermost contacts from being closed by the action oi solenoid 30 until the current through the motor, or other translating device. 5. to a predetermined point.

The arri'ingement of circuits be best understm'id upon reference to Fig. 6, where the main circuits lJ-M, L M and l)- M are shown in lighter lines than the control uit. For a two wire remote control the cuit ABC and a float switch F substituted, as shown in dotted outline.

While the eontact-carrying member .15 in the construction of switch as described above, and particularly illustrated in Figs.- l, 4 and 5, serves when in closed position to elcctrically as well as mechanically bridge the fixed contacts 5 and 6, it may be desirable in a different arrangement of circuits to have the ends of said member, which directly close with the fixed contacts, insulated from each other. This modification in construction of the switch is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 7, where the member 34, which corresponds otherwise with member 15, carries separate contacts 35 and 36. thus arranged to close. with fixed contacts 5 and 6. Such contacts 35 and 36 are insulated from member 34 and flexible conductors 37 and 28 are respectively connected therewith in the same manner as conductor 24; is connected with contact member 15 in the previously described construction. The opera tion of the switch otherwise will be the same as hereinbefore explained.

Under certain conditions it may furthermore be desirable to utilize more than two fixed contacts and to provide a contact-carrying member so arranged and constructed as successively to close with such plural fixed contacts. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 8 where three fixed contacts 40, 41. and 42 are employed. Pivotally mounted on the outer end of the oscillatory carrier member 20 is a member 43 that is provided at its lower end with a contact 44 adapted to close with lowermost fixed contact 40. Pivotally attached in turn to the upper end of member 43 is a second contact-carrying member 45 that may correspond with member 15 in the first described construction or with member 34 in the modified construction shown in Fig. 7, but actually as illustrated as thus corresponding with member 15 in that the two contacts 46 and 47 carried thereby are electrically connected together. the iowerinost of such contacts being adapted to c1 se with fixed contact 41 and the uppermost with fixed contact 42. In this last described con struotion, as in the others. the center of g avity of the respective contact-carrying arms is located above the axis about. which each such arm swings. As a result the O1 will ciose with fixed contact 40 upon contact 46 will close with fixed contact 41, and finally contact 47 will ciose with fixed contact 42.

In conclusion we shouid state that the polyphase induction type of adjustable reac tance, shown as inte posed between the fixed contacts. is to be COIliildBIGd as merely typical of any suitable type or form of current iimiting means. For exaun le, where the l. *iteh is employed to control a. C. instead of an A. C. circuit, an approveift type of resistance adjustable or not, as may be found desir l trusts in advance of the other; and a solenoid can be interposed between the contacts in question instead of the hereinbetore described react-ance coil.

Other modcs of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means he employed.

Ive therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention 1. In a switch, the combination with a pair of fixed contacts; of an oscillatory carrier; a contact-carrying member adapted to bridge said fixed contacts, said member being oscillatorily mounted on said carrier at a point removed from the axis of oscillation of the latter, and said member being so balanced that it will close with one of said fixed contacts in advance of the other; and means adapted to hold said contact member in open position with respect to said other fixed contact.

2. In a switch, the combination with a. pair of fixed contacts; of an oscillatory carrier; a contact-carrying member adapted to bridge said fixed contacts, said member being oscillatorily mounted on said carrier at a point removed from the axis of oscillation of the latter, and said member being so balanced that it will close with one of said fixed contacts in advance of the other; and electromagnetic means adapted to hold said contact member in open position with respect to said log: other fixed contact.

3. In a switch, the combination with a pair of fixed. contacts; of an oscillatory carrier; a contact-carrying member adapted to brid e said tl'Xud contacts, said member being osoiilatorily mounted on said carrier at a point removed from the axis of oscillation of the latter, and said member being so balanced that it will close with one of said fixed concoii connected across said fixed contacts and adapted to hold said contact member in open p ition with respect to said other fixed cow 1 Hi 4. In a. switch, the combination with suitable frame; of plural pairs of fixed contacts i "ned position thereon; a shaft os toriiy mounted on said tram spas d r ling radially from said shaft; and it ty of contact-carrying members re spectively adapted to bridge each pair ot fixed contacts, said members being conjointiy oscil atorily mounted between and carrier. arms.

In a switch, the combination with abte frame of plural pairs 0' a n aligned posit-ion tl eon; a shaft osciil rams;

tively adapted to bridge each pair of fixed contacts, said members being conjointly oscillatorily mounted between and carried by said arms; a solenoid coil connected across one pair of said fixed contacts; and an armature for said coil operatively connected with one of said members, whereby the latter may be held in open position with respect to one set of said fixed contacts.

6. In a switch the combination with a suitable frame; of plural pairs of fixed contacts in aligned position thereon; a shaft oscilla torily mounted on said frame; spaced arms projecting radially from said shaft; and a plurality of contact-carrying members respectively adapted to bridge each pair of fixed contacts, said members being eonjointly oscillatorily mounted between and carried by said arms. said members being independently resiliently held in normal position relatively to each other.

7. In a switch, the combination of an oscillatory carrier; an arm oscillatorily mounted thereon; and a contact member mounted on and having ends projecting laterally beyond said arm, said member being independ: ently resiliently secured adjacent its ends to said arm.

8. In a switch, the combination of an oscillatory carrier; an arm oscillatorily mounted thereon; and a contact member mounted on and having ends projecting laterally beyond said arm. such ends respectively lying on opposite sides of the axis of oscillation of said arm and said member being independ ently resiliently secured adjacent its ends to said arm.

9. In a switch, the combination of an oscillatory carrier; a channeled arm oscillatorily mounted thereon; and a contact member located between the side walls of such arm and having ends projecting through the bottom wall thereof, such ends respectively lying on opposite sides of the axis of oscillation of said arm.

10. In a switch, the combination of an oscillatory carrier; a channeled arm oscillatorilv mounted thereon; and a contact member located between the side walls of such arm and having ends projecting through the bottom wall thereof; such ends respectively lying on opposite sides of the axis of oscillation of said arm and projecting laterally beyond said arm, said member being independently resiliently secured adjacent its ends to said arm.

Signed by us, this th day of September,

EVERETT CHAPMAN. C0 ERWIN E. DREESE. 

